Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/454

 390 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF purpose of the Institute to promote. It was, perhaps, inevitable that some t'rouiuls of variance in opinion should occur between the University and the Corporation, and it was highly gratifyiii!:!; that on occasions such as the present there was unaniinity of good foeliag in recognising the beneficial influence of such societies and meetings, as a stimulus to the better appre- ciation of all national institutions. Lord Talbot would take this occasion to express the gratification which the members of the Institute felt at the hearty encouragement and co-operation with which they had been favoured bv the Vice-Chancellor and all the authorities of that ancient University. Tlianks to the Mayor and Council having been carried by acclamation — The ViCE-CllANCELLOR (Dr. Geldart) observed that he had the honour of representing that learned body to which the noble President had referred ; on the following day he hoped that the University would have a more worthy and distinguished re[)resontative. lie felt high gratification that the visit of the ln>titute had occurred in his (Dr. Geldart's) year of oflice, and that it had devolved upon him to devote all means in his power to ensure the success of the meeting, and contribute to the satisfaction of the distin- guished visitors thus assembled. Without the friendly co-operation of the Mayor and corporate body his wishes to do honour to the visit of the Society could not have been carried out ; and, on an occasion where they had a common purpose in view, he witnessed with satisfaction an united courtesy evinced towards the Institute in the University and Town chosen as the place of their annual assembly. The Mayor desired to renew the assurance of cordial desire to give furtherance to the purpose of the Institute, and promote the gratification of the members ; he testified his full concurrence in the feeling expressed by the Vice-ChancoUor, and hailed with pleasure this occasion presented to the town of Cami)ri(ige for co-operation in furthering the interests of a scientific undertaking. The Pkesident then rose, and in calling on the Disneian Professor to deliver the discourse |)repared for this occasion. Lord Talbot took occasion to advert to the position of Archaeological Science, and its claims to consi- deration in that ancient seat of learning. He alluded to the valuable assistance which had been rendered to historical research by the labours of the archaeologist, more especially as regards the obscure periods of which we possess no records, no oral or written tradition, and the sole vesti^-es are to be sought in their enduring monuments. The noble Presi- dent observed that he felt considerable diltidence in addressing these introductory remarks, on the present occasion, surrounded as ho was by those better qualified tlum himself to discourse on Archaeological studies, and more especially as he saw around him many to whom he had been in the habit of looking in earlier times with great deference and respect. It was a source of great satisfaction to him to have been able to attend on the present occasion, to renew old a.ssociations with the University, and revive agreeable recollections of former years, passed amidst those opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge which had given a zest to ]tursuitH that might otherwise never have occupied his attention. Lord Tiill)ot t)fFered Borne rfinarks on the great changes in public opinion regarding the subject of archaeology and the extendiui hearing of its purpose, cmhiacing matters occa^>ionally perhaps regarded by careless observers as of trifling nuiment, but leailing to important results in the elucidation of history, or of the progrcHH of civilisation, arts, ami iiiatiiil';i((iires. The noiih; ['resident